Antidepressant treatment and risk of subsequent bipolar disorder in adolescents with unipolar depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common treatment for depression and anxiety in adolescents but are associated with an increased incidence of bipolar disorder (BD). Whether this relationship is causal remains unclear.

Objective

We applied a quasi-experimental design to national registry data, using an instrumental variable (IV) approach (regional variation in prescribing practice) to investigate for a causal relationship between adolescent SSRI treatment and subsequent risk of BD.

Methods

We used national electronic health register data on individuals born 1991-1998 followed to maximum age 32 years, looking at individuals diagnosed with unipolar depression in adolescence. Using regional variation in prescribing practice as an IV, we com

SUBMITTER: Talukder A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12766832 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature